There aren’t many games that hit that emotional rawness and avalanche of feelings likeThe Last of Us Part 2does. It’s one of the most controversial games in existence due to its divided player base. On one hand, there are those who love it and how Naughty Dog took huge chances by killing off one of its main characters, and then there are the ones who hate what they did due to one character, in particular, Abby.
But there’s no denying the narrative marvel The Last of Us franchise truly is and more proof of that is shown when HBO picked the game up and turned it into an award-winning show. If you fancy getting your heart broken again and taking a trip on another emotional roller coaster, here are 10 of the best games to jump into if you loved The Last of Us Part 2 - and best of all, they are all under $30, so you may torment yourself on a budget.
The Walking Dead The Game
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm
Beyond Two Souls
God of War
Horizon Zero Dawn
Heavy Rain
Resident Evil 2
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
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10. Telltale’s The Walking Dead
WHERE TO PLAY
If you love apocalyptic narrative, Telltale’s The Walking Dead is a great choice for fans of The Last of Us Part 2. Taking on the role as protagonist Lee Everett, you protect an orphaned girl named Clementine against savage zombies and try and survive against all odds with a group of survivors.
If love and loss are something that you miss from The Last of Us Part 2,Telltale’s The Walking Deadhas it in abundance, so don’t forget the tissues. Not only does it provide an excellent narrative and impactful choices that truly shape the story, but the character development is a standout experience on its own - just like The Last of Us Part 2. For under $15 right across PlayStation, Xbox and Steam, you’ll wonder why you have never played TWD until now.
9. Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Just like TLOU2, Life is Strange: Before the Storm gives players character development and will appeal to fans who loved Ellie’s adventures.Featuring Chloe Price, a 16-year-old rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber, a beautiful and popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret, it takes their new-found alliance to give each other the strength to overcome their demons.
The strong emphasis on natural character development and intense emotional storytelling is what makesLife is Strangeso good and also what it mainly shares with The Last of Us Part 2’s vibe. Although it’s recommended to play the first Life is Strange before jumping into this one, players will still be treated to a bittersweet story with tragic outcomes. Because of what you actually experience and take away with you throughout the gameplay as you uncover Max and Chloe’s story, $16.99 is a steal.
8. Beyond: Two Souls
Another emotional story-driven title, and also who can deny how much the main character looks like Ellie from TLOU, Beyond Two Souls is an incredible visual endeavor with a strong similar paternal relationship between Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe that TLOU2 fans will appreciate.
With top-notch acting, a deeply dark and immersive story, and mechanics that are fun to use, Beyond: Two Souls has enough elements thrown in to pique the interest of any TLOU fan. Let’s also not forget how much Ellie looks like the main character of Jodie and also how similar both of these characters are; Ellie and Jodie are both young women who harness powerful elements that can change the world and who also have a father figure trying to guide them through hostile environments.
7. God of War
God of War’s cinematic delight is certainly on par with The Last of Us Part 2. Not forgetting that the relationship between father and son, Kratos and Atreus, is almost like holding a mirror up to Joel and Ellie’s relationship from the first game.
The bond between Kratos and his son Atreus is truly beautiful and, at times, heartbreaking and savage, so this is something that The Last of Us Part 2 fans can always relate to due to Ellie and Joel’s turbulent relationship of their own. Coupled with cinematic sequences, excellently fleshed-out characters, and a fantastically written story that could be heard a million times, spending under $20 onGod of Warright now is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
6. Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn has that TLOU2 vibe with regard to that tense father/daughter relationship between Rost and Aloy as well as trying to survive in a world over-run with deadly creatures - this time robots.Aloy (Ashly Burch) is cast out of the Nora tribe at birth and raised by a fellow outcast named Rost. Aloy then sets out on her own to find out about her past, and herself, while tackling huge robot monsters in her path.
Horizon Zero Dawnis easily one of the greatest open-world adventures on console, so people seeking out games like The Last of Us 2 will be more than happy within this post-apocalyptic land ruled by dangerous robotic creatures. As Aloy and Ellie both grew up in hostile environments, lost their father figures, and had to learn to become hunters to survive - they are both also pretty damn good with a bow too - Horizon Zero Dawn will keep TLOU2 lovers glued to their seats as they witness a fantastically written story unfold. For under $10, you may’t get better than that.
5. Heavy Rain
Similar to The Last of Us Part 2 with its deep narrative and incredibly dark undertone, Heavy Rain is a stellar choice if you love the gloomy vibes of TLOU2.Heavy Rain features four protagonists involved with the mystery of the Origami Killer, a serial killer who uses extended periods of rainfall to drown his victims.
Yet another one for The Last of Us Part 2 fans who love their gameplay experiences super dark, moody, and heartbreaking (I’m seeing a theme here). David Cage’sHeavy Raintells the story of a father who tragically loses his son before his life spirals out of control, akin to Ellie’s own trauma. Delving into the psyche of several characters and telling a powerful story, this Quantic Dream title will have most players gripped from beginning to end, and at a budget price of only $11.99 on the PS Store.
4. Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2’s remake is back in Racoon City once again with Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield taking the reins. As with TLOU2, these two characters are up to their eyes in zombies. Many of the mechanics between the two games are similar, including stealth, horror, and survival, making this one deserving of a place in your library.
AlthoughResident Evil 2lacks the emotional weight portrayed in Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part 2, the survival horror elements and the zombies transformed by the T-virus will have most fans on the edge of their seats. This is a great title if you loved going around TLOU2 merely blowing the heads off zombies in a rich, creepy open-world environment - who really needs a deeply immersive story when you may do that for hours, right? If you happen to own a PlayStation, hop in and grab this one for under $10!
3. A Plague Tale: Innocence
Rolling in with that familiar TLOU2 dark theme, A Plague Tale: Innocence implements a sister/brother relationship where one has to take care of the other who is carrying a virus throughout a hostile and dangerous environment, just like Joel and Ellie.
Swap out hordes of infected for savage hordes of rats, and you’vealmostgot another Last of Us on your hands. Just like with Ellie and Joel, fans will genuinely become invested in the struggles of brother and sister Hugo and Amicia as they take on a plague-ridden world while also keeping young Hugo safe due to him carrying a dangerous virus. The story in A Plague Tale: Innocence iscompelling yet heartbreaking, which is more than enough to warrant this game being in any TLOU2 lover’s library.
2. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
If you’re looking for a third-person shooter set in a plague-stricken post-apocalyptic America that gives you that sought-after The Last of Us Part 2 feeling, The Division 2 is a good shout. Also, if the idea of FEDRA propaganda antics is something that you want to delve into more of thenThe Division 2will satisfy your needs as you go around ‘liberating’ society. There’s also the element of looting and upgrading your weapons, which was a lot of fun to do in TLOU2. For under $30, there are much worse ways to spend your time - and money.
1. Days Gone
This extremely underrated title is often talked about in the same breath as The Last of Us Part 2 because both of these games were Sony exclusives that featured a zombie setting. Similar to TLOU2, Days Gone brings to the forefront a frightening version of America overrun with infected “people” and creatures in a threatening open-world environment.
This highly underrated title by Bend Studio is a must-buy if you loved your experience in The Last of Us Part 2. Although the game was heavily criticized when it launched in 2019, partly due to its technical limitations at the time,Days Gone is a very good time- if you allow it. Fans will love the vast post-apocalyptic landscapes, looting moss-covered cars and derelict homes, and taking on the honestly terrifying hordes of infected. There’s also a love story in there between Deacon and Sarah to lift the darkness of the gameplay which opens up a softer side to the main character.
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